“Regional Disparity in India in the Level o...

“Regional Disparity in India in the Level of Development: A Geographical Analysis”

Author Name : Mobaydul Mallick, Dr. Jyotirmoy Sen

ABSTRACT Regional imbalances or disparities means wide differences in per capita income, literacy rates, health and education services, levels of industrialization, etc. between different regions. Regions may be either States or regions within a State. In India there are enormous imbalances on various accounts. Balanced regional development means development in all regions of the economy. It is only through balanced regional development that the benefits of economic development can reach to all persons living in different regions of India. The 12th plan proposes to achieve inclusive growth so as to provide benefits of development to all geographical regions of the nation. But in India, a few states are relatively more developed and many states are economically backward. Balanced regional development has always been an essential component of the Indian development strategy. Since all parts of the country are not equally well endowed with physical and human resources to take advantage of growth opportunities.Two major institutions, which were expected to work towards reducing the regional imbalances after independence, were the Finance Commission and the NITI Aayog (Planning Commission) . The Finance Commission has only limited role to play. Hence, more responsibility is vested on the NITI Aayog (Planning Commission). India’s successive Five Year Plans have stressed the need to develop backward regions of the country. In promoting regional balanced development, public sector enterprises were located in backward areas of the country during the early phase of economic planning.